A Libyan connection has likewise been inferred from Nahum 3:9, where it is said that "Put and Lubim" were the helpers of Egypt.

The Libyan connection was especially close.

Mr. Taylor's Libyan connection does not appear to drive his political views, but it has alarmed some of Liberia's neighbors, particularly Nigeria.

When word came out about the Libyan connection, people's initial reaction here was the same as in most of West Germany - incredulity.

A statement by the Libyan Foreign Ministry on Nov. 15 had denied "any Libyan connection" with the Lockerbie "incident", and reiterated a "condemnation of terrorism in all its forms".

The Libyan connection did not of course nullify the proven Syrian-Palestinian involvement.

LEAD: West German intelligence knew about the "Libyan connection" as early as 1987 and told Bonn so repeatedly.

"These people definitely have a Libyan connection," said a department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Besides the Libyan connections established by the forensic evidence, the US Justice Department now had two witnesses.

Thurman, who led the forensic investigation and identified the fragment's Libyan connection, confirmed that it was the "only real piece of evidence against Libya".